Last week, Illinois lawmakers failed to overhaul the state's pension systems. According to the state's Center for Tax and Budget Accountability, reducing state employees’ retirement benefits will still leave Illinois in a fiscal mess.

Two Indiana congressmen who backed legislation that would have redefined what rape is are spurning Missouri Republican Todd Akin over his contention that women's bodies can protect them from pregnancy if they're victims of "a legitimate rape."

The first customers of Champaign-Urbana’s new community broadband network should be getting service this week. UC2B could begin providing high-speed internet service to homes and businesses in underserved areas of Champaign and Urbana as soon as Monday.

Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn is expected to start a campaign to boost support for changes to state pension systems. Quinn has been in campaign mode for months, repeatedly bringing up to the media and legislators the importance of tackling the state’s massively underfunded pension system.

Supporters of the UC2B Big Broadband project know they want a high capacity broadband network for the Champaign-Urbana area. However, there is concern that the way money for UC2B is being raised could hinder the project's long-term commitment to open access.